I was walking to the bridge from Pavilion Bukit Jalil when I noticed a long line of people queuing in front of a closed shutter. It’s bad enough that the area is quite congested, and now this crowd is making it even more chaotic.
Being the curious person that I am, I decided to ask some of the people in line what was going on. It turns out they were waiting for a popular nasi kandar spot to open.
Now this makes sense—Malaysians queuing up, no matter how long, for a plate of nasi kandar? Count me in!
This spot is Nasi Kandar Bendi in Bukit Jalil. They are known for their variety of nasi kandar dishes such as: whole fried chicken leg, squid egg curry, salted egg, okra, and ayam bawang.
They also offer 8 different types of gravy, ranging from soy sauce chicken to chicken curry and fish curry. Nasi Kandar Bendi sure ain’t stingy with their curries, so you can expect your plate to have a banjir of gravy, which many are a fan of based on reviews.
Image Credit: Nasi Kandar Bendi on Instagram
But, the food isn’t the most viral thing here
The main star of the show is this Anneh, who also happens to be the owner of this nasi kandar restaurant.
From where I was standing, I could hear him shouting the words “TUDIAAAA”. I later learned that Joki, the Anneh, is famous for this line.
If you’re overwhelmed by the variety of the dishes, the boss will suggest to you some options while using his signature phrase. You can’t be indecisive for too long—there’s a whole line of hungry people behind you!
The Anneh is actually super friendly and charismatic, with theatrical gestures that draw people from different races and backgrounds. People even want to take photos with him like he’s a celebrity! It adds to the lively atmosphere one can expect from this nasi kandar spot.
However, because of this, the wait times tend to be a little longer and service is slow. So, you have to be patient if you’re planning on dining here.
A family-run business
Joki was kind enough to have a small chat with me about the history of the place. The recipes are a family legacy, starting with his grandfather in Penang, passed down to his mother, and now to him. All their dishes are cooked daily and sourced fresh from the market.
It was quite amusing to watch him pour curry over the nasi kandar as if he were making teh tarik, all while shouting “TUDIAAA” or “SEMPOI.”
Based on the Anneh’s suggestion, I got their squid eggs, ayam bawang, sotong sambal, bendi, and salted egg. It is not only when you’re choosing your dishes that he shouts his signature line, but also when he plates your meal, almost as if he’s validating your choices.
MFT’s review
Unfortunately, this nasi kandar spot didn’t quite live up to the hype, despite how viral it is. The gravies were decent—the flavours were there, but not enough to satisfy my hungry soul.
One thing I can give props to is their sotong sambal. It was pretty spicy, juicy, and generously portioned. Their ayam bawang was a bit on the sweeter side, and I didn’t get much of the onion aftertaste. If you love sweet-tasting chicken, this is for you.
Personally, I wouldn’t line up for this nasi kandar unless I was really craving their sotong sambal.
In terms of accessibility, parking can be challenging. Despite the great hospitality, this place is best for takeaway. There’s limited seating inside the restaurant, only about 5-6 tables. So if you want to dine in, be prepared for the possibility of disappointment.
If you’re looking for a fun and entertaining ambiance, Nasi Kandar Bendi delivers, offering a unique experience all thanks to Joki. Though if you’re in a rush, then this is not recommended—perhaps next time!
Nasi Kandar Bendi
Address: Bumi, 28, Jln Jalil 1, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Open daily, 11am – 8pm
Halal status: Pork-free | Muslim-owned
You should also check out: Do you have a marriage fever? Try this popular Nasi Kahwin in KL which costs only less than RM15.
